Stabilizers up or down?

[Finally Able]

We've been parking our new 2021 287BHS (though model isn't critical in this case) at our daughter and son-in-law's place for the winter, until we can clear a spot at our house. Son-in-law's been expressing concern about not utilizing stabilizers when parked, thinking of the weight factor on the jackstand. I say that's not an issue, and would rather store them retracted and out of snow and ice here in NH (if we ever were able to make a quick getaway for a warmer clime, if no other reason!)

Opinions?

[rccs]

I have always stored ours with them up during the winter. If you are talking about him worrying about the weight on the tongue jack, they will hold up just fine. They are made to hold more weight than the usual amount that would be on it from the weight of the tongue. Mine will raise the back of the truck up quite a ways when hooked to the truck.

[JFlightRisk]

It's better to leave the stab jacks up. If any of the tires loose pressure, the added strain on the stab jacks may do some twisting damage to the frame, depending on its construction. It's also four less pathways for critters to climb up on. The tongue jack will be fine, just make sure to chock the wheels.

[Jagiven]

Per Jayco, they say do not use the stabilizers during storage (pg 158, 4th bullet, under "RV Storage")

https://www.jayco.com/files/download...%20OM%20BW.pdf

[cekkk]

Up. They aren't jacks. If pressure is lost the weight will fall on the Jacks and could do damage to the camper, as JayFlight said. Stabilizers in my opinion should only be used when you are using the camper.

[ai2160]

Wow! Thanks for asking this question. I always leave my stabilizers down when not in use. Good to know.

[JFlightRisk]

The one time you should lower them in storage, is if you're going up on the roof for anything. That'll make the rig stable. Them it's back up when you're done.

[Finally Able]

Thank you, all responders!

[ggilbert]

I like to store mine down.

A tire could go flat and all that weight on the stabilizer while camping too. I think the jack would fail before the frame bent. The thickness of the metal on the frame looks to be a lot stronger than the stabilizer jack.

Worst case I keep insurance.

We had a big wind storm last year and you could actually see where the camper scooted sideways on the gravel pad. I think having them down may have prevented the camper from flipping over.




Also some people park their camper for months at a time in a campground \ trailer park setting and they probably put their jacks down too.

I do however spay my jacks down good with Boeshield T-9 Lubricant/Protectant.

[Finally Able]

Originally Posted by ggilbert

I like to store mine down.

A tire could go flat and all that weight on the stabilizer while camping too. I think the jack would fail before the frame bent. The thickness of the metal on the frame looks to be a lot stronger than the stabilizer jack.

Worst case I keep insurance.

We had a big wind storm last year and you could actually see where the camper scooted sideways on the gravel pad. I think having them down may have prevented the camper from flipping over.
Attachment 66895

Attachment 66896


Also some people park their camper for months at a time in a campground \ trailer park setting and they probably put their jacks down too.

I do however spay my jacks down good with Boeshield T-9 Lubricant/Protectant.

Thanks for that perspective, ggilbert.

[Route 66 Traveler]

I have always had my jacks down when parked on 3 different TT's since 1996 without any issues.

A friend had his TT rolled over in a windstorm...his jacks were up.

[CAG]

They are not meant to be weight bearing. They are "stabilizers". A small amount of pressure to do their job of stabilization.

[Scott_Trailer_Newbe]

Jacks down also give critters an easier time getting into your trailer, or undercarriage area.

[Finally Able]

Originally Posted by Scott_Trailer_Newbe

Jacks down also give critters an easier time getting into your trailer, or undercarriage area.

May be true, but I suspect they can climb the wheels just fine (or the snowbanks around here.)

[Midnightmoon]

My stabilizers are down 24/7/365. Of course, we use our trailer quite often at home. No issues over many years of ownership.

[Big1]

I have always left mines up.

[deepsea5]

Originally Posted by ggilbert

I like to store mine down.

A tire could go flat and all that weight on the stabilizer while camping too. I think the jack would fail before the frame bent. The thickness of the metal on the frame looks to be a lot stronger than the stabilizer jack.

Worst case I keep insurance.

We had a big wind storm last year and you could actually see where the camper scooted sideways on the gravel pad. I think having them down may have prevented the camper from flipping over.
Attachment 66895
Attachment 66896


Also some people park their camper for months at a time in a campground \ trailer park setting and they probably put their jacks down too.

I do however spay my jacks down good with Boeshield T-9 Lubricant/Protectant.

Your stabilizer looks more like a scissor jack. A scissor jack can be left down all the time, as long as where it's attached to the camper is rated to hold the supported weight. Note: some RVs (Airstream for one) can have frame damage occur if someone attempts to level/jack the RV at positions other than leveling/jacking positions pointed out by the manufacturer.
The cheap one-armed stabilizers will fold if too much weight is put on them. The previous owner of our 2020 camper folded the 2 stabilizers on our camper. They will be replaced with scissor jacks this coming spring. Will be going with 4; one in each corner of the camper.

[DocBrown]

Two travel trailers and one pop-up since 1993 and I've always stored them with the stabilizers down on a gravel pad.

If all of your tires lost that much air that the stabilizers end up holding the load, then they need to be replaced or at least have the rims cleaned along the bead. I have never lost more than 5lbs of pressure over the course of a winter.

[gypsmjim]

We are permanently situated on a slight incline. The wheels are well chocked. The stabilizers are down year round. When the ground freezes I would be afraid it might move if the only thing holding it up was the tongue jack.

Our old trailer (the guest house) is a few 100 feet up the hill. It is blocked and jacked just the same. The tires are rotten and have been flat for 20 years. The frame is rusted and has lost some stiffness. The stabilizers are what's holding it up.....LOL.

Personally, I think the stabilizers add some strength to the overall trailer and I would never consider leaving them up unless the unit was on the highway.

[JohnyUtah324]

Great conversation. Does anyone have thoughts on leaving down your auto-leveling jacks?